Map-rack



(Model;) 2 SheetsSheet 1.

A: M LANE,

4 MAP RACK.

No.- 253,538; Patented Peb.14,1882.

W avg) I 2 Sheets-Shet 2 (ModeL) G. A... MQLANE;

-- MAP RACK;

Patented Feb.- 14,1882.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. MGLANE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MAP-RACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Iatent No. 253,538, dated February 14, 1882.

Application filed July 13, 1881. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. MCLANE, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, and a citizen of the United States, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Map-Racks, of which the following is a full description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure l is a top view, showing onemap open and the others folded; Fig. 2, afront elevation, showing one map open with part cut away to show the holding devices. Figs. 3, 3*", 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are enlarged details; Figs. 9 and 10, modifications.

It has been customary to provide devices for holding a number of large maps used in real estate and other oflices, the maps being arranged in front of each other, and the devices being such that either one of the maps can bebronght into view. These devices have heretofore been quite expensive.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved map-holder which shall be simple and cheap, which I accomplish by hinging a number of arms to a partially-revolving cylinder supported by suitable brackets, which arms are adapted to carry several maps, which maps, by meals of the arms and cylinder, can be folded back against the wall, or either map can be brought into view at pleasure. Instead of a cylinder, two disks taking the place of the heads of the cylinder and connected together by suitable rods may be used. Instead of the disks, a suitable bracket may be used, all as hereinafter more fully specified.

In the drawings, A B represent two disks,. which may be about ten inches apart. 0 are three rods secured to the disks A B. The two disks are pivoted in suitable brackets, D, so that these disks can revolve together. This may be conveniently done by means of a rod iron F at the points d, one upon each side, as shown in the drawings.

H are two arms secured by bolts or otherwise to the irons G.

Several of the irons F may be used with each pair of disks. Four are shown in Fig. 1.

A single large map may be secured to the inside of the arms, and this can be done by means of suitable thin strips and clamps or bolts. The molding usually found at the top of large maps is to be removed, the mapitselt' being secured between the strips. A portion of the lower rollersay about three inches in length at the centeris to be cut away. After the map has been adjusted to the arms and placed in the rack it should be first closed by folding one of the arms around against the other, and at the same time the center of the map should be rubbed up and down with gentle pressure, so that the central portion will fold without wrinkling. I

Instead of a large map extending the whole length of the two arms H, two maps of the proper size may be used, one upon each arm; or one map may be used upon one of the arms H and two smaller maps upon the other arm H. The number of these maps which can be used upon a single rack or holder depends upon the size of the disks and the space between the two arms d of the irons F. The disks shown are nine inches in diameter, and are adapted to receive four irons, F.

I make the hinges at least six or eight inches in length to prevent sagging of the arms and to afiord sufficient support.

The arms can be made to incline backward a little to hold the maps open,or closed against the Wall by having the bearing for the disks in the lower bracket, D, say one-quarter of an inch farther from the wall than that in the upper bracket.

When the maps are not in use they can be closed and turned around against the wall, as shown in Fig. 1. The outermost map can be displayed for inspection by simply turning the outer arm, H, around onto the other side of the can be brought into view. There being a space between the two arms H, the map, when closed, will not be folded at the center so as to break and injure the same.

Instead of disks'A B, a suitable bracket, J, as shown in Fig. 9, may be used to receive the maps; but in this case an additional hinged piece, I, will be used with the maps back of the outermost one, as shown in Fig. 10. This is a modification which may be used, if desired, the parts being in other respects as before described, the iron F in such case being hinged to the part I instead of to the disks for all of the maps except the outermost one, the iron F for the outermost map being hinged directly to the bracket.

A dust-protector may be provided above the maps, which may be made of any suitable material. The two pieces of the roller atthe lower end of each map may be connected by a piece of leather, cloth, or by a U hinge, to steady and protect the maps at the lower end of the fold when closed.

For large maps there may be providcdsecondary arms, extending from the supportinghinges downward and outward at an angle to the edges of the maps, to assist in turning the maps around. In the joints at the point d, I provide stops to limit the movement of the arms H.

By hinging the arms H to the iron F, which is also suitably hinged to its support, I provide in eflect a double hinge, by means of which the map can be folded at the center and turned around out of the way to either side, or can be opened and exposed to view.

One or more small maps maybe hung upon each arm H, so arranged that when the large map is folded and turned against the wall to one side the small maps upon the arm then at the front will be in view. When only two pairs of arms H are used the iron F may be hinged directly to a small bracket upon the wall.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. In a map holder or rack, the arms H, hinged to a support, F, that is in turn hinged to its supports, whereby a double joint is provided, by means of which a map can be opened to view or folded over vertically at or near the middle and turned around to one side, substantially as specified. 4

2. The hinged arms H, in combination with the hinged irons F and rotating disksAB,

substantially as and for the purpose specified.

GEORGE ALVAH MOLANE. Witnesses:

B. A. PRICE, ALBERT H. ADAMS. 

